Finances and the Compulsive Gambler · Finances and the Compulsive Gambler Sara Croymans MEd, AFC, University of MN Extension Educator, ... Covering up/lying Careless about spouse/family

Finances and the Compulsive Gambler

Sara Croymans MEd, AFC, University of MN Extension Educator, MorrisShirley Anderson-Porisch MS, AFC, University of MN Extension Educator, Marshall

Sandra Brustuen NCGCIL, LADC, Vanguard Compulsive Gambling Program Coordinator, Granite Falls

Purpose

Raise awareness of gambling activity and its potential impact on family financesIdentify strategies to keep gambling participation at a low risk level and within family spending plans Raise awareness of an addicted gambler treatment program that includes a family finance componentIdentify prevention and intervention strategies applicable to the impacts of gambling on family finances

Potential Impacts of Gambling on Family Finances

Overdue, unpaid household bills, ongoing expensesCalls from creditors regarding overdue, unpaid bills Financial account overdrafts, defaultsIncreased use of and cash advances on credit cardsUnexplained/denied applications for credit cards, loansUnexplained disappearance of cash from family membersUnexplained withdrawal of savings intended for specific purposes education, retirement, other family goalsSale of personal items Increased tension, conflict about the use of money in the family

Problem Gamblers and Their Finances A Guide for Treatment ProfessionalsNational Endowment for Financial Education/National Council on Problem Gambling, 2000

Are you a compulsive gambler?Source: 20 Questions --

1. Does gambling cause you to lose time from school/work?2. Does gambling cause unhappiness for your home/personal life?3. Has gambling affected your reputation?4. Have you felt guilty after gambling?5. Have you gambled to pay debts or solve money problems?6. Does gambling decrease your ambition for school/work?7. If you lose in gambling, do you try to win it back?8. If you win in gambling, do you wish to keep playing?9. Have you gambled until all your money was gone?10. Have you borrowed money to gamble?

Are you a compulsive gambler? (Continued)

11. Have you sold anything and used the money for gambling?12. Have you used money intended for another purpose for gambling?13. Has gambling made you careless about yourself and others?14. Did you ever gamble longer than you had planned?15. Have you gambled to escape worry, trouble, loneliness, boredom?16. Have you committed/considered committing illegal acts to gamble?17. Has gambling caused you to lose sleep?18. Do disappointments/frustrations cause an urge for you to gamble?19. Do you have an urge to celebrate good fortune by gambling?20. Have you considered self-destruction/suicide due to your gambling?

Why Ask the 20 Questions?

Most compulsive gamblers will

of the 20 questions.

Vanguard Compulsive GamblingTreatment Program (Granite Falls, MN)

Nationally recognized 30-day residential program for male/female,18 years olds typically clients aged 30-35, varied incomes, well educatedTreatment Team counselors, physicians, psychologists nurses, chaplains, fitness trainers, and financial counselorsVanguard staff estimates gambler recovery rate at approximately 50-60%

Signs of Gambling ProblemsIncreasing the frequency of gambling activityIncreasing the amount of money gambledSpending excessive amount of time gambling at expense of job or family Being preoccupied with gambling or with obtaining money with which to gamble.Gambling creates a special and intense pleasure, an aroused sense of

Continue to gamble despite negative consequences such as large losses, financial problems, absence from work, or family problems caused by gamblingGambling as a means to cope with loneliness, anger, stress, depression, etc.

Signs of Gambling Problems

the urgent need to keep gambling often with larger bets or taking greater risks in order to make up for a loss or series of lossesBorrowing money to gamble, taking out secret loans, cashing in or borrowing on life insurance policies, or maximizing credit cardsBragging about wins but not talking about lossesFrequent mood swings, higher when winning, lower when losingGambling for longer periods of time or more money than originally plannedSecretive behavior such as hiding lottery tickets and betting slips, having mail, bills, etc. sent to work, a P.O. Box, or other address

The Progression of Compulsive Gambling

Winning PhaseFrequent winningOccasional gamblingMore frequent gamblingExcitement: prior to and with gamblingFantasies about winning/being a big shotIncreased amount betBig win


Losing PhaseGambling aloneThinking only about gamblingProlonged losing episodes

Covering up/lyingCareless about spouse/familyLosing time from workHome life unhappyPersonality changesDelays paying debts


Desperation PhaseHeavy borrowing/legal and illegalUnable to pay debtsBailoutsReputation affectedMarked increases in amounts and time spent gamblingAlienation from family and friendsRemorse and panicBlaming othersIllegal acts


Hopelessness PhaseHopelessnessSuicidal thoughts and attemptsArrestsDivorceAlcoholEmotional breakdownWithdrawal symptoms

Unique Characteristics of Pathological Gambling

Differences in Families

ConfusionAngerNeed to quickly protect family assetsHealing support needed

The Progression of Compulsive Gambling on the Spouse (Family)

Denial PhaseOccasional worriesMakes excuses for gamblingConsiders gambling temporarySocially acceptedAccepts increased gamblingRewards from gamblingQuestions unpaid billsKeeps concerns to self

Easily reassuredUnexplained financial crisisAccepts remorse of gamblerRewards: gifts, trips, time together, share winningsRelief: finances are betterHappy because gambler is happy


Stress PhaseSpouse spends less time with familyArgumentsSpouse feels rejectedDemands upon gamblerAttempts to control gamblingProvides bailouts

Avoids children, family, and friendsIsolationLate billsLoss of intimacyFeels to blameInsecure about futureTakes over finances


Exhaustion PhaseIntense resentmentConfusionThinking impairedPhysical symptomsImmobilizationRageDoubts sanityAnxiety - panic


Hopelessness PhaseHopelessnessSuicidal thoughts and attemptsArrestsDivorceAlcoholEmotional breakdownWithdrawal symptoms

Handling of Financial Issues While in Treatment

Finances

Client meets with a financial counselorVanguard staff will work on bills with clientsClients are allowed to call creditors, banks, collection agencies, etc

Personal Financial Strategies for Loved Ones of Compulsive Gamblers (National Endowment for Financial Education & National Council on Problem Gambling)

Client encouraged to turn personal finances over to someone else

Group Activity: Societal Influences about GamblingYou and a person next to you will be assigned a number on the worksheet from which to discuss how that unit of society may or may not influence gambling activity.

with the entire group.

Vanguard Compulsive GamblingTreatment Program

Family Finance Component Since 2004, reaching over 1060 gamblers

In compliance with federal HIPAA regulations, MN statutes for substance abuse, medical records

1. Monthly educational group lecture (1 hour) for gamblers and family members

2. One-one meeting (1 hour) to assist developing Personal Financial Recovery Plan during final week of treatment program


Monthly educational group lecture focuses on avoiding bail-outs but instead --Identifying income, assetsEstablishing a spending planDetermining a debt repayment planEncouraging communication among family members

regarding personal finance situationSource: Personal Financial Strategies for the Loved Ones of Problem Gamblers and

Problem Gamblers and Their Finances--A Guide for Treatment ProfessionalsNational Endowment for Financial Education/National Council on Problem Gambling, 2000


One-one meeting to develop Personal Financial Recovery Plan Does not supersede professional/legal adviceProvides financial informationAssists determination of financial statusIdentifies strategies to address financial realitiesInvolves family members in financial discussions


Personal Financial Recovery Plan Compares expense and debt obligations with incomeIdentifies debt list (balance, payment, status)Suggests strategies to change income, change expenses, or both when expenses exceed incomeEncourages identification of trusted family member/friend to assist management of personal financesProvides a Resource List of current, reliable, free financial references www.extension.umn.edu/ResourceManagement/components/RMDL-website-resources.pdf

Allows for follow-up telephone consultation with financial counselor during transition/re-entry to life after treatment program

http://www.extension.umn.edu/ResourceManagement/components/RMDL-website-resources.pdf





Financial Counselor Observations Life Cycle Stages:

Young single adultsFamilies with children at homeFamilies with children launchedFamilies in later life

Issues affecting all Life Stages:EmploymentDebt Technology


Family Finance Component, Implications for Practice

Identifying someone to assist financial management appears to be a factor for successInvolving family members in a one-one setting with client provides safe environment for sharing informationOne-one setting provides opportunity for practice of communication skills and financial management strategies

What should people do when they choose to gamble?

Use low-risk gambling strategies and personal guidelines for gambling experiencesto decrease risk of problem gambling activity or

a compulsive gambling addiction.

Each person has a choice. . .but

Everyone shares the responsibility for establishing and following practical guidelines for gambling --Affirm the rights of people to gamble but within prevention guidelinesSupport those who choose not to gambleShare concerns with those who gamble at high risk levelsShow compassion to those whose lives have been affected by

gambling problemsEncourage discussion, be a role model for low risk, legal, and

appropriate choices for gambling activity

Source: Svendsen, R., Griffin, T; Gambling Choices and GuidelinesMN Dept of Human Services/ MN Institute of Public Health, 1993

Tell the suspected gambler of your concern --use an honest, caring approach

If you cannot talk with the suspected gambler --share the concern with another trusted person

Call: Minnesota Gambling Hotline 1-800-333-HOPE (4673)

Thanks . . .

Contact Information Sandi -- [email protected]

Sara [email protected] [email protected]

The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

mailto:[email protected]



Documents

Finances and the Compulsive Gambler · Finances and the Compulsive Gambler Sara Croymans MEd, AFC, University of MN Extension Educator, ... Covering up/lying Careless about spouse/family